Method and apparatus for forming joints in concrete



Sept, 6, 1966 L7 WORSON 3,270,636

METHQD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING JOINTS IN CONCRETE Filed D60. 8, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l F'IGI INVENTOR. LEE WORSON BY FULWIDEIR, MATTINGLY & HUNTLEY AT TOR NELYS Sept. 6, 1966 L. WORSON 3,270,636

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING JOINTS IN CONCRETE Filed Dec. 8, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet Z INVENTOR. L EE WO RS ON BY FULWIDER, MATTINGLY & HUNTLEY ATTORNEYS United States Patent METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING JOINTS IN CONCRETE Lee Worson, Long Beach, Calif, assignor to Edoco Technical Products, Inc., Long Beach, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Dec. 8, 1961, Ser. No. 158,003 3 Claims. (CI. 94-51) The present invention relates to a method of forming joints in concrete and the apparatus for forming such joints, but more particularly it pertains to methods and apparatus for embedding flexible sealing and expansible joint forming means in uncured concrete.

In the construction of large concrete surfaces, as for instance roadways, airport runways and the like, it is necessary to provide joints in the concrete for systematic control of expansion and contraction of the concrete with changes in temperature. If provision is not made for such systematic control, as the concrete contracts during final curing thereof random cracks will occur throughout the entire surface. Eventually such cracks become enlarged due to wear and further expansion and contraction of the concrete.

In addition to controlling the occurrence of cracks in the concrete, it is necessary that sealing means be provided in the resulting joints or cracks to prevent moisture from washing away the bed beneath the road and to prevent the creation of excessive pressures within the concrete due to changes in temperature of such moisture. Accordingly, as set forth in my copending application Serial No. 729,743, filed April 21, 1958 for Combined Weakened Plane Joint Former and Water Stop, now Patent No. 3,023,681 elongated flexible sealing and joint forming strips are embedded in the concrete before it is cured. However, due to the necessary flexibility of such strips, it is diflicult to introduce them into the concrete to a position beneath the surface thereof. This, of course, is due to the lack of firmness of the flexible strips and to the thickness or heavy consistency of the concrete, the latter of which, as is well known in the art, is composed of many large objects as for instance rocks or stones which comprise gravel, a necessary element of concrete. Also, cement itself when mixed with the proper amount of water is relatively thick and heavy, and hence offers considerable resistance to objects.

Due to the above-noted characteristics of both cement .and concrete, it is extremely difficult to insert an elongated light weight flexible member to an embedded position therein. The flexibility of such strips is necessary to insure that the strips firmly engage the sections of concrete to form a water-tight seal therebetween.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a method for embedding elongated flexible joint forming means in uncured concrete.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of embedding elongated flexible strips beneath the surface of uncured concrete.

Another object of this invention is to provide the method as characterized above wherein a predetermined path is initially formed through the aggregate of the concrete, and thereafter said strips are forcibly inserted into the concrete along such predetermined path.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of inserting flexible strips in concrete which comprises the application of localized pressure to said strip, such localized pressure being applied progressively along said strip to thereby effectively insert the entire flexible strip.

Another object of this invention is to provide the method as characterized above wherein the elongated strips deformation of the strips.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for embedding both longitudinal and lateral combined waterstop and joint forming strips in uncured concrete.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus as characterized above having releasable insertion means for retaining said strips while they are being inserted into the concrete and thereafter effecting release of said strips to permit the same to remain embedded in the concrete.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus as characterized above having means for rocking the insertion tool end-for-end during the insertion operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus as characterized above which is mobile for movement relative to the area of concrete to be provided with joint forming means.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus as characterized above having automatic hydraulic operating means.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus as characterized above which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and rugged and dependable in operation.

The novel features which I consider characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The device itself, however, both as to its organization and mode of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of apparatus according to the present invention shown in operating position relative to a large area of concrete;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 33 of FIGURE 2 of the drawings;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view through the insertion tool of the apparatus of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 4 showing a combined waterstop and weakened plane joint former inserted into the concrete;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIGURE 3 of the drawings; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of a combined waterstop and weakened plane joint former that has been embedded in concrete by means of the method and apparatus of the present invention.

Like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the embodiment chosen for illustration of the present invention is shown in operating position immediately above a section of uncured concrete 10. Such concrete may be part of a roadway, airport runway, flood control or irrigation canal, or substantially any other structure having large areas of concrete.

In building the forms for receiving and defining the shape of the concrete, it may be desirable to employ means such as side form rails 12 and 14 which can also serve as a track along which the subject apparatus can be propelled as will hereinafter be explained. However, the particular means of locomotion for the subject apparatus does not form a limiting part of this invention, it merely being necessary that any desired means for moving the apparatus relative to the concrete, as will hereinafter appear in detail, *be provided for successful practice of this invention.

With the forms for the concrete suitably positioned, the concrete 10 can be poured in any desired manner. Before the concrete has cured, the subject apparatus 3 identified generally with the numeral 16 should be positioned for relative movement with respect to the longitudinal strip of freshly-poured concrete.

Apparatus 16 is formed of various types of steel structural members. The body or frame thereof includes a base or platform 18 which is composed of a pair of long-itudinally extending box or U-shaped end members 20 and 22 which are joined together by a pair of elongated inverted U-shaped channel members 24 and 26. As will hereinafter become more readily apparent, the subject apparatus must be extremely rugged and dependable in operation thus necessitating the use of relatively strong steel members welded with a unitary structure. At either end of platform 18 is positioned a vertical support 28 and 30 respectively, each of which may take any desired form in accordance with the support function to be performed. Attached to the upper end portions of support members 28 and 30 is a box section channel member 32 which is positioned transversely on apparatus 16.

To support the entire apparatus while permitting movement thereof, there are provided suitable wheels, as shown at 34 and 36, attached to the box members 20 and 22 in any appropriate manner. Any desired number of wheels may be employed, to adequately support the apparatus. As shown most clearly in FIGURES 1 and 2, the wheels shown in the disclosed embodiment are formed to straddle the C-shaped rails 12 and 14 to insure that the apparatus remains in the proper posit-ion with respect to the concrete 10.

Any suitable means, as for instance motors 38 and 40, may be employed for rotating wheels 34 and 36 respectively, there being suitable chain or belt drive means for transmitting power therebetween. The energy for operating motors 38 and 40 may be supplied from any suitable source as for instance a gasoline engine-driven generator carried on the apparatus.

An insertion tool identified generally with the numeral 42 is mounted on the apparatus laterally or transversely of the direction of the latter. Tool 42 is formed with a shaft 44 the opposite ends of which are rotata-bly mounted in suitable brackets or bearing members 46 and 48, which are slidable vertically in the support members 28 and 30 respectively. Due to this arrangement, support members 28 and 38 should be formed with channels for receiving the bearing members and permitting vertical movement thereof while preventing rotation or horizon tal relative movement.

The shaft 44 carries a predetermined number of transverse vertical arm members as at 50 and a predetermined number of angularly diposed structural members as at 52. The resulting structure is substantially coplanar, parallel to the axis of rotation of shaft 44. Along the opposite side edges of insertion tool 42 are a pair of tool members 54 and 56, shown most clearly in FIG- URES 4 and 5 of the drawings.

Tool member 54 extends the entire length of insertion tool 42 and is disposed transversely of the direction of movement of the apparatus 16. As shown most clearly in FIGURES 4 and 5 of the drawings, tool member 54 does not have any moving parts and may, if desired, be formed with a hollow as shown at 54a. For purposes to be hereinafter explained in detail, tool member 54 is preferably provided with an elongated tip or edge as at 54b.

Insertion tool 56 is formed with an abutment member 56a which extends the entire length of tool 42 for receiving an elongated combined waterstop and joint forming strip 58. To facilitate this, abutment member 56a is shaped throughout its length with a surface 56b which corresponds to one side of strip 58.

A latching member 560 is pivotally fixed to abutment member 56a by means of spaced hinges as shown at 60 and is formed with a surface 56d which conforms to the other side of the strip 58. A plurality of spaced lugs 62 are fastened to latching member 56c. Each lug 62 is connected to one end of an actuating lever 64, the opposite end of which is fastened to a bell crank 66 firmly fastened to a rotatable rod 68. Rod 68 as shown most clearly in FIGURES 2, 4 and 5, is mounted within suitable openings in the transverse structural members 50 of insertion tool 42. For rotation of rod 68, there is provided one or more hydraulic operating cylinders 70 secured to the transverse structural members 50. Each hydraulic cylinder '70 is provided with a piston (not shown) and piston rod 72 which is rotatably connected to a pivot arm 74. Each arm 74 is non-rota-tably fastened to rod 68, to transmit the operation of the respective cylinder 70 to rod 68.

At the opposite ends of tool 42 there is provided hydraulic rocking cylinders 76 and 78. Such cylinders are firmly anchored to transverse support member 32 and are provided with piston rods which are connected to the respective bearing members 46 and 48. As will be readily apparent to those persons skilled in the art, this arrangement enables either or both of the opposite ends of shaft 44 to be moved in a vertical direction in accordance with the particular function to be performed as will hereinafter be explained in detail.

Mounted on support member 32 is a spool or drum 80 on which is Wound a suitable length of strip material 58 for providing the transverse joints in the concrete 10. Such spool 80 is r-o-tatably supported by means of bracket members 82 and 84 carrying a shaft 8 6.

A similar spool 88 is mounted on the rear of the apparatus for supplying strip material 59 identical to the strip material 58 to be positioned longitudinally in the concrete '10. Spool 88 is rotatably mounted by means of bracket members 90 and 92 which are fastened to inverted channel member 24 and which carry a shaft 94.

A rotatable insertion wheel 96 carried by a lever mechanism 98 projects from the rear of the apparatus. Lever mechanism 98 is pivotally fastened relative to the bracket members which support spool 88. A hydraulic actuating cylinder 100 is interposed between channel member 24 and le-ver mechanism 98 for controlling the position of wheel 96 with respect to the section of concrete :10.

Mounted on the front of the apparatus is path forming means comprising an adjustable tool 102 which slidably fits within a sleeve 102a 'welded to channel member 26. Any appropriate means may be employed for permitting adjustment of the height of tool 102 relative to concrete :10, as for instance a shaft or thumb screw which can be inserted into suitable openings in tool 102 for engagement with the upper edge of sleeve 102a.

A control panel 104 for mounting suitable control levers as at 104a is fixed to the forward edge of member 3 2. An operator stands on the platform 18 as provided by channel member 26 for manipulation of the control members mounted on panel 104.

A source of power for operating the apparatus is mounted on platform 18 as shown at 106. Although such power source may take substantially any desired and appropriate form in accordance with the type of actuating devices employed in the apparatus, FIGURE 1 shows a gasoline engine drivingly connected to both a hydraulic pump and an electric generator. The hydraulic pump, of course, affords the necessary hydraulic pressure for operation of the various aforedescribed hydraulic cylinders, whereas the electric generator affords the electric power for operation of the drive motors 38 and 40.

The method of embedding the strips 58 and 59 in the concrete is substantially as follows.

7 By suitably controlling the energization of the electric motors connected to the drive wheels, the apparatus can be caused to move on rails 12 and 1-4 longitudinally of the concrete 10. As the apparatus moves, tool 102, which previously has been adjusted to the proper vertical position, forms a longitudinal path through the aggregate of the concrete .10. That is, due to the viscosity of the fine ingredients of the concrete, as for instance the cement, sand, water and the like, a path cannot be formed therein which will remain for any appreciable length of time. However, the larger and heavier ingredients of concrete, such as gravel, which is commonly termed aggregate, can be pushed to one side or the other as the desired path is being formed. As such, a path can be formed through the heavier materials to greatly facilitate the subsequent insertion of the joint forming means.

As the apparatus 16 continues to move, such motion causes the flexible strip 59 from spool 88 to be inserted longitudinally into the concrete That is, such strip 59 is caused to unwind from the spool 88 and to pass under the insertion wheel 96. As shown in FIGURE 6 of the drawings, wheel 96 is formed with a suitably configured outer periphery for receiving the strip 59. Due to this feature, the wheel 96 does not deform the strip 59 but rather applies pressure thereto at the predetermined strongest sections. The depth of insertion of the longitudinal strip 59 is determined by the operation of hydraulic cylinder 100, the latter being controlled by suitable control levers mounted on panel 104.

The insertion wheel 96 is aligned with the path forming tool 102 so that the strip 5 9 from spool 88 is inserted to the proper depth along the path form-ed thereby. Thus the strip material is inserted without engaging relatively hard immovable objects such as the aggregate of the concrete 10.

At predetermined interval-s during the travel of apparatus 16 relative to concrete 10, the entire apparatus is brought to restfor purposes of inserting lateral strips 58. After the apparatus is stopped, the insertion tool 42 is rotated within bear-ing members 46 and 48 until the path forming tool member 54- is disposed downwardly. While in this position, the operator, by suitable manipulation of the appropriate controls on panel 104 causes the entire tool -42 to be moved downwardlly so as to cause tool member 54 to provide a transverse path in the aggregate of the concrete 10. Such action of tool 42 can be accomplished by simultaneously actuating hydraulic cylinders 76 and 78 to cause the entire length of tool member 54 to be inserted instantaneously in the concrete. In the alternative, the hydraulic cylinders 76 and .7 8 may be operated separately so as to cause first one end of tool member 54 to be inserted into the concrete and thereafter the other end to be inserted. Ultimately, however, the entire tool member 54 is pressed downwardly into the concrete so as to form a predetermined transverse path through the aggregate thereof.

While the tool 42 is so positioned as shown in FIGURE 4, the strip 5 8 from spool =80 can be cut to the proper length and positioned in the tool member 56. To accomplish this, tool member 56 is opened by suitable actuation of hydraulic cylinder 70. That is, such cylinder is suitably energized to cause latching member 560 to pivot in a clockwise direction as shown in FIGURE 4. The section of the strip 58 is then positioned in the abutment member 56a and the latching member 560 is returned to closed position. The latter operation, of course, is effected by suitable actuation of hydraulic cylinder 70 by the operator at control panel .104.

After the strip 58 is mounted in the insertion tool member 56, the entire insertion tool 42 is rotated within journal members 46 and 4 8 until the tool member 56 is disposed downwardly as shown in FIGURE 5 of the drawings.

Thereafter, the hydraulic cylinders 76 and 78 are alternately actuated so as to cause the entire insertion tool 42 and the strip 58 attached thereto to rock end-for-end upon the pivot afforded by the connections between the two extremities and the brackets 46 and 48, respectively, which slide vertically in the support members 28 and 30. As this action continues, the tool 42 is caused to progressively creep downwardly until the strip 58 is at the proper position within the concrete. The aforedescribed rocking and creeping action is necessary to prevent collapse and deformation of the strip 58. Such strip is general-1y made of plastic or other suitable elastomeric mate- Also, such end-for-end rocking motion causes the strip to knife its way through the concrete to further insure that said strip will maintain its intended size and shape. This action will be recognized by persons skilled in the art as being substantially identical with the act-ion of insertion wheel 9-6 in progressively exerting pressure along the length of the longitudinal strip 58.

Due to the previously formed path through the aggregate of the concrete as formed by tool member 54-, the flexible strip 58 is ultimately forcibly inserted into the concrete to the desired position. Then by suitable actuation of the appropriate control lever, the hydraulic cylinder 70 releases the strip 58. In this regard, latching member 56c of tool 5:6 need not be actuated to its extreme open posit-ion but rather need only be moved a small distance to permit strip 58 to remain within the concrete -10 as tool member 56 is removed. Afterthis has been accomplished, and the entire insertion tool 42 is in its retracted position the apparatus 16' is moved forward to continue laying the longitudinal strip 59 until the next position for a lateral strip 58 is reached.

It should be noted that under certain conditions it is desirable that the tool 5-6 be given a fore-and-aft rocking motion as it effects insertion of the lateral strip 58. This motion will help enlarge the strip-receiving groove formed in the uncured concrete 107. Thus, as indicated in FIGURE 5, a hydraulic cylinder is removably interposed between a fixed element 112 of the apparatus 16 and the upper portion of each of the arms 50. With continued reference to this figure, one end of the cylinder 110 is pivotally connected to the fixed element 112 while the piston rod 114 associated with cylinder 110 is detachably connected to the upper portion of arm 50 as by a removable pin 116. The cylinder :110 is operated in a conventional manner to effect reciprocation of piston rod 114. This serves to effect a fore-and-aft rocking of the insertion tool 56, as indicated by the directional arrows in FIGURE 5. Such fore-and-aft rocking may be independent of or concurrent with the end-for-end rocking of the entire insertion tool 42.

Although not mandatory for successful practice of the present invention, it may be found desirable to provide suitable notches or cutouts in the vertical webs of the strips 58 and 59 at their intersection.

It is thus seen that the present invention provides a novel method for inserting elongated flexible joint forming means into uncured concrete. Also, this invention provides apparatus for inserting both longitudinal and lateral joint forming means into suitable positions heneath the surface of the concrete. As explained in my aforementioned copending application, as the concrete cures the joint forming means causes the contraction of the concrete to provide a vertical fracture line at the joint forming means. Also, such joint forming means, due to the flexibility thereof and the cross-sectional configuration, is caused to resiliently engage the adjacent sections of concrete to thereby effect a suitable moisture seal therebetween.

Although I have shown and described specific embodiments of my invention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. The invention itself, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

Iclaim:

'1. Apparatus for embedding lateral joint forming means in an elongated section of uncured concrete comprising:

a frame movable longitudinally with respect to said concrete;

an elongated, rotatable transversely oriented tool having a groove forming portion operable to form a lateral groove through the aggregate of said concrete, said tool further having an insertion portion operable to hold and insert joint forming means into said concrete along said lateral groove;

a pair of support means vertically slidably carried by said frame at opposite ends of said tool and mounting said opposite ends of said tool thereto; and

a pair of fluid actuated means carried by said frame and alternately operative upon said pair of support means to effect end-to-end rocking of said tool to thereby facilitate formation of said groove and insertion of lateral joint forming means by said tool.

2. Apparatus for embedding elongated, transversely oriented flexible joint forming means in a longitudinal strip of uncured concrete, said apparatus comprising:

a frame adapted to be positioned in overlying relationship to the uncured concrete;

an elongated, transversely oriented tool having a groove forming portion and an insertion portion, said insertion portion being adapted to carry joint forming means;

support means vertically movably carried by said frame and rotatably mounting said tool to alternately position said groove forming portion and said insertion portion thereof into substantially vertical orientation immediately above the uncured concrete; and

force transmitting means carried by said frame and operable on said support means to effect vertical movement of said tool and insertion into the uncured concrete of the operatively positioned one of said portions.

3. Apparatus for embedding elongated, transversely oriented flexible joint forming means in a longitudinal strip of uncured concrete, said apparatus comprising:

a frame adapted to be positioned in overlying relationship to the uncured concrete;

an elongated, transversely oriented [001 having a groove forming portion and an insertion portion, said insertion portion being adapted to carry joint forming means;

a pair of support means vertically slidably carried by said frame at opposite ends of said tool, respectively, and including pivot means rotatably mounting said tool to permit positioning of said groove forming portion and said insertion portion thereof in substantially vertical orientation immediately above the uncured concrete; and

a pair of force transmitting means carried by said frame and alternately operative upon said pair of support means to effect end-to-end rocking of said tool and insertion into the uncured concrete of the operatively positioned one of said portions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,740,345 12/1929 Heltzel 9451 1,974,240 9/1934 Heltzel 94-39 1,982,387 11/1934 Heltel 9445 2,025,449 12/1935 Heltzel 9439 2,354,586 7/1944 Fischer 9439 2,399,025 4/1946 Heltzel 9439 3,045,566 7/1962 Houck 9439 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Examiner.

N. C. BYERS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR EMBEDDING LATERAL JOINT FORMING MEANS IN AN ELONGATED SECTION OF UNCURED CONCRETE COMPRISING: A FRAME MOVABLE LONGITUDINALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID CONCRETE; AN ELONTATED, ROTATABLE TRANSVERSELY ORIENTED TOOL HAVING A GROOVE FORMING PORTION OPERBLE TO FORM A LATERAL GROOVE THROUGH THE AGGREGATE OF SAID CONCRETE, SAID TOOL FURTHER HAVING AN INSERTION PORTION OPERABLE TO HOLD AND INSERT JOINT FORMING MEANS INTO SAID CONCRETE ALONG SAID LATERAL GROOVE; A PAIR OF SUPPORT MEANS VERTICALLY SLIDING CARRIED BY SAID FRAME AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID TOOL AND MOUNTING SAID OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID TOOL THERETO; AND A PAIR OF FLUID ACTUATED MEANS CARRIED BY SAID FRAME AND ALTERNATELY OPERATIVE UPON SAID PAIR OF SUPPORT MEANS TO EFFECT END-TO-END ROCKING OF SAID TOOL TO THEREBY FACILITATE FORMATION OF SAID GROOVE AND INSERTION OF LATERAL JOINT FORMING MEANS BY SAID TOOL. 